i've learned

with age comes a bit of wisdom

artwork by mary maxam “unfinished blonde”

the salt of unshed tears
has built up behind my facade of smiles
my heartbeats flip flop to remind me
         of who I am
                and where I was
not all that long ago
it’s dark in the distance
and clouds hover on the horizon
                  i’ve learned
the shortest distance

         between happiness and grief
is the simple turn of the calendar page

Reviews

[Chloe..Across the Unive..]

I wanted to review this the other day when I saw it but the café was acting up it is very poignant The mirror does not lie and with each page turned on the calendar we see time marches on this is very good Lydia A bit melancholy written so very well

[Lydia Shutter]

Thank you very much, Chloe. Yes, it is often difficult to open pages and post comments. I appreciate your persistence! Lydi**

[jermaine]

That's beautiful writing, I love all your works, they are just inspiring.

[Lydia Shutter]

Thank you so much. Lydi**

[Rita L. Sev]

This is a superb analogy - each day brings us farther from our memories and closer to our final days... but it may also bring us closer to a new joy, never imagined. Wonderful pondering here, Lydi.

[Lydia Shutter]

You are so right, Rita.....we have to keep open minds. Sometimes joy enters when we least expect it to. Thank you for the wonderful review. Lydi**

[NeiL ArandA]

Ms Lydia this is a very nice piece. It's sad but true. At some point in our life we will all come into term with our own mortality. Wisdom really comes with the passing of time and calendar page ( as you've mentioned in your piece ) when we realize that our time here in this earth is just but a breath away. With age we discern that we all walk the thin line between happiness and grief. I don't really like to grow old Ms Lydia but I can't refused what God has ordained. Another beautiful piece Ms Lydia. I see also your wisdom on your chosen words Ms Lydia.

[Lydia Shutter]

Thank you so much, Neil. Growing old is really not so bad. Sure, there are bad things we experience, but there are also wonderful things. I appreciate your review. lydi**

[Ladysue]

there is much wisdom here and the acceptance of it all. Those last lines say so much. Well done..

[Lydia Shutter]

Thank you so much for your review. Lydi**

[Sarai Lee]

Once again, you always really touch my heart with the final lines of your poems, Lydi! I love the simplicity and sadness of time passing here. It makes me think of how some wounds can only be healed by time, and some wounds are made greater with time. Thank you for sharing this!

[Lydia Shutter]

And thank you so much for your wonderful review, Sarai! Lydi**

[Tom]

Resilience and strength of character are just a few of the positive attributes that become more apparent as we grow older !

An inspirational, creative piece indeed Lydia !

[Lydia Shutter]

Thank you very much, Tom! Lydi**

[Sanober]

I reckon one of the best things about growing old is growing wiser too. all the tears shed...unshed, hopes dashed and fulfilled...they surely teach us something. thank you for sharing one of those lessons in such poetically blissful words, my friend. "the shortest distance between happiness and grief
is the simple turn of the calendar page"...Leaves me speechless.

[Lydia Shutter]

My sweet friend, your reviews are so wonderful. I appreciate them...and you. Thank you very much. Lydi**

[Patricia Wedel]

dear Lydi... your smile is your umbrella.
Like Mother Nature... you give so much of
yourself... it's time to receive the beauty
of land and sea... ever changing from salty to
clear and true blue. as ever... your fan in
poetry and overtures of beauty. truly.. Pat

[Lydia Shutter]

Such a lovely review, my friend. Thank you very much. Lydi**

[Joyce S. Greene]

How very true, Lydi. From day to day you never know what storm may develop. You have a positive attitude which seems to serve as your umbrella, and I hope that you always keep it nearby and ready to keep a big smile on your face.

[Lydia Shutter]

I do try to do that, Joyce. Thank you very much for your review. Lydi**

[Jack...]

This so true my friend. Time does heal most wounds, but the scars that remain can not become invisible until we learn to accept all is what it is and there is nothing we can do about it. Perhaps if we not only turned the calendar page but destroyed the old one when we were finished with it or it was finished with us. Very nice Lydi. You always seem to find that pathway straight to my heart.

[Lydia Shutter]

Such a lovely review, my friend. Thank you very much. Lydi**